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Alden 52
Designer: Alden  ·  Builder: Alden Yachts Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1988
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About the Alden 52

Built by the renowned Alden Yachts starting in 1988, this 52-footer represents classic American yacht design philosophy with a strong emphasis on seaworthiness and comfort. The cutter rig configuration provides excellent sail handling versatility, allowing crews to reduce sail area progressively in heavy weather while maintaining balance and control. With a displacement of 39,000 pounds and substantial ballast ratio, this yacht prioritizes stability and comfort over pure speed, making it an ideal platform for serious offshore cruising and long-distance passagemaking. The deep 10.33-foot draft houses significant ballast low in the hull, contributing to impressive stability and the ability to carry sail in challenging conditions. The keel-centerboard configuration offers the best of both worlds: deep-water performance when the board is down, and shoal-water exploration capabilities when raised. The generous beam provides spacious accommodations below while contributing to initial stability. A comfort ratio of 39.73 indicates this yacht will provide a stable, comfortable ride in seaway conditions, though motion will be more deliberate than lighter, more modern designs. The conservative sail area to displacement ratio suggests this boat rewards skilled seamanship over pure performance, making it particularly appealing to experienced cruising sailors who value reliability and comfort over racing speed.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 52.58 ft / 16.03 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 40.00 ft / 12.19 m
Beam 14.33 ft / 4.37 m
Max Draft 10.33 ft / 3.15 m
Min Draft 5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Displacement 39,000.00 lb / 17,690 kg
Ballast 16,300.00 lb / 7,394 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 1,307.00 ft² / 121.42 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/CB & spade rudder
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Alden
Builder Alden Yachts Inc. (USA)
First Built 1988
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 78
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 18.26
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 41.79
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 272.04
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 39.73
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.69
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 8.47 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 2.08
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 2,048.11 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 18.26
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 69.90 ft / 21.31 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 20.90 ft / 6.37 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 63.00 ft / 19.20 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 18.30 ft / 5.58 m
SA Fore 730.46 ft² / 67.86 m²
SA Main 576.45 ft² / 53.55 m²
SA Total (100%) 1,306.91 ft² / 121.42 m²
Est. Forestay Length 72.96 ft / 22.24 m
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